Savannah, 2061
BY THE END OF MAY, Savannah was beginning to provide a substantial dose of its summer weather. Whereas in winter the middle of the night power downs were rare, in the hot weather they occurred two or three times a week. More energy was expended to cool than to heat, and the usage had to be restrained. Savannah did not warrant the same priority for energy allocation as did Washington or New York. Residents knew that only a battery-operated alarm clock could be relied upon. And when I awoke with the sheet soaked with sweat, I knew that the air-conditioning had been off during the night.
I liked working outside in the garden behind Mrs. Pinckney's house, but by eleven o'clock I needed to retreat into the air-conditioning. This particular morning was comfortable, and I had a number of papers spread out on the glass-topped table. At my elbow was the remainder of my breakfast coffee.
From the corner of my eye, I noticed Jacqueline in shorts and a tee shirt entering the garden. "Good morning, sir." She announced herself coyly.
"Good morning, Jacqueline," I replied blandly.
I looked down at my papers, but also noticed that Jacqueline was considering carefully how to arrange the chaise. Did she want to get sun or be in a position to chat with me? She adjusted it twice and still was not satisfied. "What are you working on?"
"Just some paperwork."
"I can see that."
"Then why did you ask?"
"Oh, you're in a fine mood this morning. Sorry to have interrupted you."
"And I'm sorry for being curt with you. I don't particularly enjoy the work I'm doing."
Jacqueline was now draped over my shoulder, looking more carefully at the papers on the table—or at least pretending to do so. "Then why do it?"
"I made a commitment to serve on the regional energy council. I have to review these construction proposals. Plus I can use the extra pay."
"Except for the money, it does sound pretty dull." Jacqueline walked back to her chaise, sat upright on the front edge, arched her back, and fell silent. She seemed to be considering her next move. After a minute, she stretched out, face down. I glanced in her direction every minute or so.
"Damn, it's getting hot," she exclaimed. "I'm going to take my top off, if it won't bother you."
"I've seen you without your top on."
"So you remember. I think it bothered you on that occasion," she said, as she slipped her tee shirt off. She was facing me, so I would be sure to notice her bare breasts again. "How come you've never visited the club to see me dance? Don't I appeal to you just a little bit?"
"You're very appealing, but I can see you here. Why take a difficult trip to the club? I don't have a private car."
"I don't have one, either, but I get there."
"So you do," I replied simply.
"That's a comment, not an answer," she noted cleverly.
"What was the question again?"
"When are you going to come to the club and see me dance?"
"You must have an enthusiastic, admiring audience. Why do you need me?"
"It's not a matter of my need. It's yours."
"My need?"
"Yes, it can't be very exciting for you, cooped up with our landlady and Mrs. Humphreys, unless you prefer their company to mine." Jacqueline's teasing was all too obvious. By now she was lying on her stomach.
I was prepared to tease her in return. "Mrs. Pinckney is a very charming woman."
"I'm sure she is, and probably a lot more your speed."
"Mrs. Pinckney is very gracious in the way she educates me about Savannah."
"And though I'm young, I might be able to educate you . . ."
Jacqueline stopped in mid-sentence, and I heard steps behind me. "Did I hear my name mentioned?" Mrs. Pinckney asked.
"Mr. Lendeman was just telling me how you were educating him about Savannah," Jacqueline replied with aplomb.
"How sweet of him. And I hope you realize that our sun is excellent for sunbathing, but you can get burned quite quickly."
I wouldn't have been surprised if Mrs. Pinckney had intentionally composed the double entendre. From the smirk on Jacqueline's face, I knew she had not missed it. "Mrs. Pinckney, if my papers are in the way, I can move inside."
"That's a gracious offer, James, but I'm only here to water a few plants. Then I'll be out of y'all's way."
Mrs. Pinckney's presence, although brief, broke the flow of banter between Jacqueline and me. I returned to my paperwork, but the heat was becoming unpleasant. I gathered up my materials and took a few steps toward the back door.
Jacqueline called after me, "James, please be gracious enough to come to the club some evening, and I'll make certain you get a complimentary lap dance."